Abeln: Blues need to get act together quickly

The Blues have dropped their last two games, and right now they don’t look like a team primed to make a long run in the playoffs, but instead a club that could produce an early exit.

They could have wrapped up the Central Division with a win in Chicago, but didn’t. They could have accomplished the same feat at home against one of the worst teams in hockey, Columbus, but again failed to win the game. They still won the division thanks to a Nashville loss. This is not the way the team needs to be playing down the stretch.

Ken Hitchcock said he’s more concerned about the team’s organization rather than the team’s momentum heading into the post season. I get that, but for a team whose boasted great swagger all year, the Blues can’t go 0-5 to close out the regular season.

So what’s the problem lately? Defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo told me that discipline has been an issue, the team has played out of their element, and they’ve let their emotions get the best of them. He added that the club has played a little selfish as well. Goalie Brian Elliott said the difference with the team lately is, ‘probably a lack of intensity.’

Whatever it is, I expect the Blues to fix the problems quickly. This team is far too talented and tough to falter down the stretch. Colaiacovo points out that the club doesn’t want to blow a great and rare opportunity of succeeding in the playoffs.

“Chances like this don’t come around too often and there’s no tomorrow. At this time of the year there are no excuses about being young and inexperienced and anything like that. It’s all about belief and trusting each other and playing for the guy next to you. If you have that sort of mentality, you go out there and battle for each other, good results will come from it,” said Colaiacovo.